Caring Santa: Calm visit for special-needs kids

Sophia Nerhood, 6, is all smiles as she gets to sit on Santa's lap with mom Jackie on Sunday. The Caring Santa event at Westminster Mall provided a calm environment for special-needs kids like Sophia, who has autism, before the mall opened to the public. .MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Anti-anxiety tips

One in 88 children in the United States is identified as having an autism-spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Routine is important for children with special needs, experts say, but the holidays disrupt everyday schedules. Here are some tips to lessen the stress of the season:

•Prepare the child with pictures, a calendar and stories about what's coming up.

•If having visitors or heading to relatives for the holidays, set aside a quiet space to which the child can retreat when he or she is feeling overwhelmed.

•Prepare visiting family members with strategies to minimize anxiety or behavioral incidents. Hugs and pinches on the cheek, for example, may not be welcomed by a child on the autism spectrum.

To read more, visit abilitypath.org.

WESTMINSTER – Seeing her children taking photos with Santa Claus on Sunday, Bianca Ancona was overcome with emotion. This was no small feat.

Her youngest, Jack, has autism. He doesn't do well with crowds, long lines, loud music or breaks in routine. A long visit to a jammed mall to sit on a large bearded man's lap is a nightmarish challenge.

But on Sunday, Westminster Mall opened early to families of children with special needs. It turned off the music, shut down the escalators and dimmed the lights. There was a room set aside with art projects, treats and small gifts. And each child was given a number and escorted to see Santa, eliminating lines and anxiety.

"This is such an awesome event for the kids. And Christmas is about the kids," Ancona said, wiping away tears as she walked away with her boys, Jack, 5, and his big brother, Tore, 7. "I'm so happy."

"Last year, we went to a mall and had to spend over an hour waiting. Their feedback was to have someone come and stand in for us. I don't have a sleigh full of nannies," said Ancona, of Irvine. "I was exhausted. I was sweating. But at the Westminster Mall, I was overwhelmed with how well-organized and thoughtful it was for all the families. And nothing in our world is ever like that. Nothing."

Ancona's family was one of about 15 that participated in Orange County's first Caring Santa event. Similar events took place in more than 80 malls across the U.S. on Sunday. The program was organized by Westminster Mall's parent company, Simon Property Group Inc., and AbilityPath.org, an online resource hub and special-needs network.

Logan Mundt, clutching little toys in his hands, was the first child to greet Santa. His mom, Francine, wasn't sure he would go for it. But the 11-year-old, diagnosed with autism, had his first photo ever with the big guy.

"I can't believe he did that," said the Huntington Beach resident, smiling broadly as she purchased her photos.

The environment in the empty mall made all the difference, she said. "It's the smallest things that can freak him out."

The Padilla family came in from Compton for the photos. Gustavo, 5, and brother Osvaldo, 7, who has autism, wore matching shirts with a polo design.

Leading Osvaldo by the hand was Santa's helper, actress Lauren Potter, an Irvine resident best known for her role as Becky Jackson in the popular TV show "Glee." Potter, who has Down syndrome, works with AbilityPath.org on an anti-bullying campaign. On Sunday, she played ambassador between Santa Claus and the children.

"They just want to see Santa," she said cheerfully.

Some families primed the kids for the visit with stories, pictures and videos of what to expect.

For the Hogerhuis family of Fullerton, photos in general are not easy. Seven-year-old Ian has autism. He sports a mohawk so that other kids will approach him and start a conversation: "It says 'I'm here. I'm cool,'" said his mom, Robin. His 3-year-old brother, Harlan, has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which can affect a person's ability to socialize and communicate.

"I think this is the first time in years we will have a photo. This is a big deal for my family," Robin Hogerhuis said. "Usually, nobody lets us have the time to take their photo with Santa.

"It's kind of a miracle, getting a picture of both of them looking at the camera. It's a Christmas miracle."

Sophia Nerhood, 6, is all smiles as she gets to sit on Santa's lap with mom Jackie on Sunday. The Caring Santa event at Westminster Mall provided a calm environment for special-needs kids like Sophia, who has autism, before the mall opened to the public. . MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Lauren Potter, 22, high-fives Ian Hogerhuis, 7, of Fullerton as his mom and dad, Robin and Michael, look on. Potter, an actress on the hit TV show Glee, who, like her character Becky Jackson, has Down syndrome, was at the Caring Santa event at Westminster Mall. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Harlan Hogerhuis, 3, at left, and big brother Ian, 7, of Fullerton squeeze together for a picture with Santa. Both boys have forms of autism, making it difficult for them to be in large crowds with a lot of stimulation. The Caring Santa at Westminster Mall provided a calm environment for special-needs kids before the mall opened to the public Sunday. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Nathaniel Torres, 4, of Fullerton sits with Santa during the Caring Santa event for special needs kids Sunday at Westminster Mall. Torres' dad, Lee, said the event was "good therapy" for Nathaniel, who has autism. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Ian Hogerhuis, 7, of Fullerton gets a kiss from mom Robin after meeting Santa during the Caring Santa event for special-needs kids at Westminster Mall. Ian, who has autism, has been wearing his hair in a mohawk since age 3. "It helps him socialize. It's his way of saying 'Talk to me, I'm cool,' " said Hogerhuis "It's his introduction to the world." MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jason Corona, 2, of Garden Grove is all smiles while sitting on Santa's lap during the Caring Santa event for special-needs kids. Jason has autism, which makes him "get overwhelmed easily," said his mom, Elizabeth Anderson. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Santa is jovial as he gets his picture taken with Robin Hogerhuis and her sons Harlan, 3, at left, and Ian, 7, of Fullerton. Both boys have forms of autism, making it difficult for them to be in large crowds with a lot of stimulation. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jason Corona, 2, of Garden Grove lets out a big yawn after an exciting morning meeting Santa during the "Caring Santa" event for special-needs kids. He was with his mom, Elizabeth Anderson, and big brother Sean, 6, at left. Jason has autism, which makes him "get overwhelmed easily," Anderson said. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Nathaniel Torres, 4, of Fullerton, gives Santa a big hug during the Caring Santa event for special-needs kids Sunday at Westminster Mall. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bianca Ancona of Irvine is overcome with emotion after her son Jack, 5, sat for a picture with Santa at the Westminster Mall on Sunday.The mall's Caring Santa event provided a calm environment before it opened. "It's about the kids. It should be about every kid," Ancona said of Jack having an opportunity to meet Santa "without having a meltdown." MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Francine Mundt of Huntington Beach coaxes her son Logan, 11, to sit on Santa's lap during the Caring Santa event at Westminster Mall. The event offered kids who need a more subdued environment the opportunity to participate in the holiday tradition. This was Logan's first time ever to sit on Santa's lap, Mundt said. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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